Maha Kumbh 2025 concludes: massive Shivratri rush at Sangam for final snan, Police on alert

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 concluded on February 26, with thousands of devotees gathering at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, for the final holy dip on Maha Shivratri. This sacred event marks the end of the world's largest spiritual gathering, which began on January 13.

From the early hours of Wednesday, people rushed to the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers to take the last special ‘snan’ (holy bath). This year’s Maha Kumbh had six major ‘snan’ days, including three ‘Amrit Snan’ days considered the most important. The first special bath took place on Paush Purnima (January 13), followed by Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 29), Basant Panchami (February 3), Maghi Purnima (February 12), and the final one on Maha Shivratri (February 26).

Spiritual significance of Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri is an important festival for Hindus. It celebrates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. But during the Maha Kumbh, it has a deeper spiritual meaning. According to Hindu mythology, during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Lord Shiva drank the poison that emerged to save the world. This event eventually led to the discovery of the Amrit Kumbh (nectar pitcher), which is the foundation of the Kumbh Mela.

This belief makes the final holy dip on Maha Shivratri especially important. Devotees believe that taking a bath in the Triveni Sangam on this day washes away sins and brings spiritual blessings.

Tight security and crowd management

With millions of devotees arriving for the last sacred bath, authorities turned the entire Kumbh Mela area into a ‘no-vehicle zone’ to manage the crowd. According to Vaibhav Krishna, DIG (Kumbh), there was no VIP treatment for anyone on this day. The police ensured that all pilgrims were treated equally.

The Uttar Pradesh government issued guidelines to help people take their dips safely. Officials suggested that devotees coming from different routes should use specific ghats:

• Those from Uttar Jhunsi were advised to go to Harishchandra Ghat and Old GT Ghat.
• Devotees from Dakshini Jhunsi were directed to Arail Ghat.
• Those entering from the Pande area were asked to use Bharadwaj Ghat, Nagavasuki Ghat, Mori Ghat, Kali Ghat, Ram Ghat, and Hanuman Ghat.

The police and security forces made extensive arrangements to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Around 37,000 police personnel and 14,000 home guards were deployed across the Kumbh Mela grounds. Additionally, the security setup included:

• 2,750 AI-powered CCTV cameras to monitor activities in real-time.
• Three Jal Police stations and 18 Jal Police control rooms to manage river security.
• 50 watch towers for crowd monitoring and emergency responses.
• A 24x7 social media monitoring team to track misinformation or rumors.

Authorities had expected a larger crowd than the 1.33 crore devotees who visited the site the previous day. However, strict crowd control measures ensured smooth operations.

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Special srrangements by Indian Railways

To help pilgrims return home safely, the Indian Railways made special arrangements for Maha Shivratri. More than 350 additional trains were operated from Prayagraj, similar to the 360 special trains arranged during Mauni Amavasya when over 20 lakh passengers traveled.

Security at railway stations was also increased:

• Jhunsi Station: 850 RPF personnel and 290 commercial staff were deployed.
• Prayagraj Rambagh Station: 500 RPF personnel and 250 commercial staff were on duty.

The Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, personally oversaw the arrangements, along with Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar and senior officials from three major railway zones.

With past incidents of fire outbreaks in the Mela area, authorities ensured strict fire safety measures this time. Chief Fire Officer Pramod Sharma confirmed that:

• 50 fire stations were on standby.
• 20 fire posts were placed across the Mela grounds.
• Firefighters were ready to respond to any emergency.

Though no major fire incidents were reported this year, these precautions helped prevent any mishaps.

Yogi Adityanath’s message to Devotees

On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his greetings to people across India and the world. He emphasized that Maha Shivratri inspires individuals to work for the welfare of society.

Speaking about the importance of Lord Shiva, Adityanath said:

• Lord Mahadev is worshipped universally.
• Festivals like Maha Kumbh promote national unity and cultural heritage.
• The Jyotirlingas across India are symbols of national integration.

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 officially ended with the holy dip on Maha Shivratri, bringing together millions of devotees for one of the most sacred Hindu rituals. The Uttar Pradesh government, police, and railway authorities ensured smooth management, crowd control, and safety for all pilgrims.

With massive security arrangements, special railway services, and fire safety measures, the grand event concluded successfully. As devotees return home, they carry with them blessings, faith, and spiritual renewal from the holy waters of Triveni Sangam.